Sundari Ayurvedic Facial, Talise Spa, Burj Al Arab

I couldn’t wait to have a facial at the Talise Spa, on the 18th floor of the world’s only seven-star hotel – Burj Al Arab. But first I thought I’d better cleanse my skin – which I don’t pay much attention to usually – and put on my best shirt to make sure I lived up to the grandeur.

I was worried I’d be intimidated by the luxury and opulence of the famous hotel, but the staff were so friendly and my therapist so welcoming, I soon relaxed. I was told my facial was the Sundari Ayurverdic, which lasts for a whopping 80 minutes – total bliss.

This is a bespoke Dosha facial, which has rejuvenating effects not only for the face but for the body and mind as well. It involves the application of a custom balancing and detoxifying mask along with a lymphatic drainage treatment and a relaxing scalp massage.

Only natural products are used – including aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, centella asiatica (gotu kola) oil, melia azadirachta (neem) leaf extract and phyllanthus emblica (amla) fruit extract.

Each product used is so soft on the skin and smells both beautiful and invigorating.

As they were applied, my therapist explained the benefits of the ingredients: aloe vera contains about 20 amino acids; gotu kola has skin-firming properties, stimulates collagen production and is believed to be a tonic for the nervous system;

neem leaves have anti-ageing properties; and amla restores the balance of the nervous system.

Next I was given the marma massage, which relaxed and balanced the chakras, helping to promote a feeling of well-being. During this I got lost in my own relaxing world.

At the end of the treatment, I found myself totally light-headed, relaxed and my skin glowed and felt pure, and clean.

I’d walked into Burj Al Arab expecting just a facial, but walked away with a totally relaxing, invigorating and pampered feeling… mind, body and soul. 80 mins, Dh970. Tel: 04 301 7338, Website: www.jumeirah.com.